Florida Lobster Season and Mini Season: Dates and Rules
Florida spiny lobster season dates: the two-day mini season in late July, the August 6 to March 31 regular season, bag limits, size rules, permit and closed areas.
Florida's recreational spiny lobster season has two parts. The two-day sport season, known as mini season, falls on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July (July 29 and 30 in 2026), and the regular season runs from August 6 through March 31. You need a Florida saltwater fishing license and a spiny lobster permit unless you are exempt, and every lobster must have a carapace longer than 3 inches.
FWC rules for lobster are detailed, and some details change by area, so this guide gives the main points and tells you where to double-check. As of October 2026, the next mini season will be in July 2027, and FWC sets the exact days by the "last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday" rule.
Season dates at a glance
| Season | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Two-day sport season (mini season) | Last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July; July 29 and 30 in 2026 | Higher bag limit outside Monroe County and Biscayne National Park; night diving is not allowed in Monroe County |
| Regular season | August 6 through March 31 | Daily recreational bag limit of 6 lobsters per person |
| Closed season | April 1 through August 5 (apart from the sport season) | No recreational harvest |
The regular season dates and bag limit come from FWC rules as reported in 2026 coverage; confirm on the FWC spiny lobster page, since FWC can change rules.
Bag and possession limits
Limits depend on where you are and which season it is:
- Mini season, Monroe County and Biscayne National Park: 6 lobsters per person per day.
- Mini season, rest of Florida: 12 lobsters per person per day.
- Regular season: 6 lobsters per person per day.
During the sport season, the possession limit on the water equals the daily bag limit. On land, reports of the 2026 season said that the possession limit on the first day equals the daily bag limit and that on the second day it is double the daily limit. Check FWC for the current possession rules before you plan how many to keep.
Size and how to measure
A legal spiny lobster has a carapace (the hard body shell, not the tail) longer than 3 inches. You must measure it in the water, before you bring it aboard, using a measuring gauge. Keep the gauge handy; a short lobster must be released unharmed. FWC also prohibits keeping egg-bearing (berried) females; check the FWC page for the full harvest rules and gear limits.
License and permit
To harvest spiny lobster recreationally you need a Florida saltwater fishing license and a spiny lobster permit, unless you are exempt from the license requirement. Our Florida fishing license guide explains who needs a license and what exemptions exist. Buy the permit along with your license through the FWC licensing system or a license agent.
Where you cannot harvest
- Everglades National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park.
- The Biscayne Bay and Card Sound Spiny Lobster Sanctuary.
- No-take areas of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
- Certain areas of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, and during the sport season, FWC reporting says all lobster harvest is prohibited throughout the park.
Biscayne National Park is treated as a 6-lobster area during mini season, and we could not confirm any extra mini-season closure there. Check with the National Park Service and FWC for Biscayne National Park rules before diving there. Also see our Biscayne Bay boating guide.
Divers-down flag rules
Under Florida law, divers must display a divers-down flag, and divers should stay within 300 feet of the flag in open water. Near an inlet or navigation channel, the distance is 100 feet. Boaters approaching a flag must slow down and stay clear within those distances. Mini season brings heavy boat traffic, so read our no-wake zones article and keep a lookout. The scallop season guide covers flags in more detail.
Dive from a boat that shows a flag, and fly a flag on a float if you are far from the boat. Do not leave a flag up after the dive is finished.
Night diving in Monroe County
During the two-day sport season, diving for lobster after dark is not allowed in Monroe County. Plan your dives for daylight, since the rule applies on both days, and be back at the dock before sunset.
Mini season or regular season?
Mini season is a social event: a lot of boats, shallow reefs and ledges that are picked over quickly, and crowded ramps. The regular season is quieter. Divers who want fewer boats, calmer ramps and more time to find legal lobsters often prefer the first weeks of August or the fall, when the 6-lobster limit applies everywhere in Florida. Visibility, weather and your own schedule matter more than the calendar, so pick a day with light wind and a favorable tide.
Handling lobsters after the dive
- Measure each lobster in the water, and release any that are too small right away.
- Keep the catch cool and out of direct sun on the boat.
- Count the lobsters in your possession against the limit before you leave the water.
- Do not remove tails on the boat until you have checked FWC's current rule on landing lobsters whole or as tails, since officers need to be able to verify size and count.
Where boaters launch for lobster
Many mini season trips start in the Keys or Miami area. Marinalo lists ramps in Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Key West and Miami. Ramps are crowded on mini season mornings, so arrive early and have your boat ready. For Key West planning, see the Key West boating guide and the Key West marinas page. Use the Florida boat ramp directory to compare options.
Lobsters hide in holes, under ledges and in coral heads. Move slowly, look for long antennae poking out, and never reach into a hole you cannot see into, since moray eels and other animals live in the same places. Do not break or damage coral, and do not use a hook or spear on a lobster.
Tips for a safe lobster trip
- Check the forecast, tide and visibility. Our tide chart guide helps with timing.
- Bring a gauge, a bag, gloves and a dive light for ledges.
- Have one person stay aboard as a lookout while others dive.
- Know your hurricane season plan for late summer trips.
- Carry a VHF radio.
Before you leave the dock
Print or save the current FWC rules, pack the permit and license, and double-check the flag, gauge and bag. Decide in advance which area you will dive, and confirm that it is not a closed area for the season you are in. Mini season weekends are busy, and enforcement officers are often on the water, so being organized saves time and avoids mistakes.
FAQ
When is Florida lobster mini season?
The last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July. In 2026 it was July 29 and 30.
When is regular lobster season in Florida?
August 6 through March 31.
How many lobsters can you catch in Florida?
During mini season, 6 per person per day in Monroe County and Biscayne National Park and 12 elsewhere. In the regular season the daily limit is 6.
How big does a lobster have to be?
The carapace must be longer than 3 inches, measured in the water.
Do you need a license for lobster in Florida?
Yes, a saltwater license and a spiny lobster permit, unless you are exempt.
Can you spear lobster in Florida?
No. Lobsters must be taken in ways that do not injure them; check FWC for allowed gear (such as hand-held nets and snares).